> At a Glance
> – Power problems and a stuck train halted Eurostar services through the 50-kilometer Channel Tunnel.
> – Passengers stranded, flights booked, and delays expected.
> – The tunnel was partially reopened with only one of its two lines.
> – Why it matters: Travelers heading to the UK or Europe faced sudden disruptions and costly detours.
A power outage and a stuck train on Tuesday forced Eurostar to suspend services through the 50-kilometer Channel Tunnel, leaving dozens of passengers stranded at Paris’s Gare du Nord and scrambling for alternative travel.
Disruption at the Heart of Europe
Eurostar blamed overhead power supply issues in the tunnel and a failure aboard a LeShuttle vehicle train. The tunnel was partially reopened in the afternoon, but only one of its two lines was operational, leading to extended journey times.
Passengers at Gare du Nord hurried to book planes or buses, while some were told flights were fully booked for days.
Jamie Gill said:
> “We’d take a roundabout route back, with a flight via Birmingham on Wednesday.”
Issy Gill said:
> “We came for my 30th birthday,”
Sarah Omouri said:
> “I’m disgusted, disheartened,”
John Paul said:
> “We got probably about an hour down the track, maybe 40 minutes, and then they basically said the train’s got to stop, because the train ahead got a braking issue.”
John Paul said again:
> “They kept telling us that the driver was trying to fix the brakes on this other train and that the other trains were then backed up.”
Eurotunnel said:
> “The power supply problem started overnight Monday in part of the tunnel, impacting passenger and vehicle travel by rail in both directions.”
Key Takeaways
- Power issues halted Eurostar services through the Channel Tunnel.
- Passengers were stranded and forced to book alternative travel.
- The tunnel remains partially operational with only one line open.
The disruption highlighted the vulnerability of the only fixed cross-English Channel rail link, underscoring the need for robust contingency plans during busy holiday periods.
